Friendship 7*
‘10 seconds and counting…Godspeed, John Glenn’…
The candle is lit. Life on the line.
Locked inside, he can only wait.
An arrow aimed at heaven.
Hearts pounding. The clock ticks.
Millions watch live,
as engines roar,
‘Set us free!’
The crew:
one
hero.
…‘Lift-off!’
Copyright (Chris Owen 2019)
*On February 20th 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in his Mercury spacecraft, Friendship 7. In the historic trip Glenn passed directly over Perth, WA. As a greeting to the astronaut, many of the city’s councils, businesses and inhabitants turned on extra lights. Some even created special beacons using white bedsheets and their Hills Hoist washing lines. Glenn famously acknowledged the brightness of the lights and asked that the people of Perth be thanked for their efforts.
STARMAN ENVY
(for Elon Musk)
When Starman blasted into space
he didn’t turn a hair.
He didn’t bother with goodbyes.
His tummy had no butterflies.
He had no sparkle in his eyes.
He didn’t seem to care.
This guy really blows my mind;
he’s totally bizarre.
He’s driving through the galaxy
as if that’s where he ought to be;
as if it’s really ordinary
to be there in a car.
That car alone would be enough
to make me start to drool.
Yet here he is among the stars,
maybe even seeing Mars!
His lack of interest really jars;
the man must be a fool.
How I wish they’d chosen me.
Why spend all that money
to realise an awesome dream
with such a failing in the scheme.
I think it’s crazy in the extreme
to waste it on a dummy.
© Kate O’Neil
Cosmic Glitter
Twinkle twinkle, cloudless night.
The stars are sparkling clear and bright.
Those pin-prick suns send rays of light
that blink and wink to our delight.
Most stars don’t twinkle at their source,
it’s just some rays get knocked off-course.
Their glittering images appear
because of Earth’s own atmosphere.
The layers of air around our world
like flimsy see-through curtains swirl,
and dapple starlight passing through.
So, does the moonlight twinkle too?
first published in CSIRO’s Scientriffic magazine issue #78 March 2012
CLOUDS
Have you ever lain on your back, watching skies above
When clouds are making quite a show, a ship, a tree, a dove?
A constant changing scene to keep you quite enthralled,
Simple easy pleasure that has no cost at all.
You sometimes see a fairy, an ogre or a frog,
You let imagination go and even see a hog.
When your mind comes back to earth and all around seems bland,
You can enjoy the memory of a cloudy fairyland.
The Coffee Cup
Mmmm … I love my cups of coffee
I drink while I write at night
I make them a little frothy
With a love heart bright
If I run out of my coffee
I drink tea – up until midnight!!
Who Nose the Way?
Scientists find
a good sense of smell
goes hand-in-hand
with direction as well.
If spatial awareness
is one of your gifts,
it’s likely your nose has
superior sniff!
Discerning more scents
in the air we have crossed
may help with our sense
of NOT getting lost.
So “follow your nose”
as we like to say,
and “smell the roses”
along the way.
The Cup
The cup was gold and gleaming,
It shimmered in the sun,
It called to us along the line
As we were poised to run.
The starter called, ‘Get ready!’
The starter called, ‘Get set!’
Our hearts were pounding loudly,
Our hands were sleek with sweat.
And when we heard the cry of ‘Go!’
We sprang off in a burst,
We ran until our muscles ached,
All striving to be first.
And when the race was over,
There were no pouts or tears,
The cup went to the winner
And we each gave her three cheers.
But don’t think I don’t want it.
I’m never giving up.
I’ll train till I’m the fastest,
Then I’ll win that golden cup.
Australian Children’s Poetry 